Bisket Jatra

Bisket Jatra or Biska Jatra is an annual event in Bhaktapur, Dhapasi Thimi and Tokha and other places in Nepal.[1] The festival is celebrated at the start of the new year on the Bikram Sambat calendar, however, the festival itself is not related to Bikram Sambat.[2]

Legend has it that this celebration is the "festival after the death of the serpent". Various areas of Bhaktapur city celebrate this festival according to their own rituals. The most eventful places are Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Thimi Balkumari. A chariot carrying a statue of the God Bhairava is pulled by hundreds of people to the Khalla Tole. Approximately a month earlier, the chariot is assembled near the Nyatapola temple (five stair temple).

The signature event on Bhaktapur Tamadhi is a tug-of-war between the Thane (upper) and Kone (lower) part of town. An approximately 25 meter Yoh si Dyo is erected in the yosi khyo In the evening of New Year. The Yoh si is pulled down as the New Year officially commences.

Balkumari Thimi hosts a color festival (Sindur Jatra). Folks from various parts of Madhyapur Thimi gather, carrying their own chariots in Layeku Thimi. People celebrate and share greetings, throwing simrik color powder and playing Dhimay music.

Bode witnesses a tongue-piercing ceremony. One resident spends the whole day with an iron spike piercing his tongue and roams the city by carrying multiple firey torches on his shoulder. Juju Bhai Shrestha is the most renowned tongue piercer town.[3][4][5]